Transcript

1.
2009-2010 Consumer Choices: Cell Phone Plans
Teacher’s Guide
Situation
Since the time of man, technological advances have changed the way we live.
Various arrays of new technology have allowed us to have everything we need at
our fingertips wherever we may be. One particularly altering technology is cell
phones. These days practically everyone has a cell phone, and many have ditched
their land lines in favor of full time use of a cell phone. The industry revenue for
wireless telecommunication was a staggering $238 billion in 2008.6
250 million Americans subscribe to some form of a cell phone plan.8 This has
grown from 20 years ago when only a million Americans subscribed. This
booming industry has reshaped the way we think and interact with each other.
With so many customers, the industry offers an equally massive array of plans
and options to choose from. With over 30 service providers, the process of first
selecting a company and then singling out a plan can seem like a mammoth
undertaking.
Goal
To enable youth to make informed choices when selecting a cell phone service
provider and plan, and to be able to support their decision given a particular
consumer situation.
Materials Needed
• Consumer Choices Member Guide for each participant
• Teacher’s guide with background information and suggested activities
(includes worksheets).
• Recent review of Cell Phone Plans from an unbiased source such as
Consumer Report or the CTIA, The International Association of Wireless
Communication’s website.
• If possible, service plan pamphlets that show what actual companies are
currently offering for comparison.
Objectives: For program participants to:
• Understand the varying arrays of service plans offered.

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• Understand how different components of a plan contribute to the body of
the plan.
• Be able to identify which type of plan is appropriate for specified needs.
Key Concepts to Teach
• Cell phone plans are available to meet every need.
• When selecting a plan, be sure to evaluate the cost per minute.
• How the addition of extras influences the cost of the plan.
• Different types of plans are available including individual, family, and pre-
paid.
Preparation
• Review recent Consumer Reports information on cell phone plans.
www.consumerreports.com
• Review and read additional information at the following website on cell
phone plans. http://www.consumersearch.com/cell-phone-
plans/important-features
Introduction and Background
How many times a day do you hear someone’s cell phone ring? How often do you
use yours? The answer to these questions is quite frequently. Cell phones have
become so ingrained in our culture that they are prevalent everywhere. You can’t
go anywhere without seeing someone using a cell phone. When most people
think of cell phones they think of the miniaturized, high-tech phones that we have
today. This wasn’t always the case. Before GPS and internet access, before
camera phones, and even before color screen phones, cell phones got their start.
In 1973 Dr. Martin Cooper of Motorola invented the first portable handset and
established a base station in New York to test the first prototype.1 Four years
later cell phones went public and public trails began. In 1983 Advanced Mobile
Phone Service debuted as the first cellular service in the world, and Motorola
released the DynaTAC mobile phone.9 The phone was known as the “brick” and
provided a mere one hour of talk time and eight hours of standby.9 By 1987 there
were 1,000 cell sites throughout America and the industry had exceeded one
billion in revenue.9 The technology continued to expand and the first text
message was sent in 1992. By 1997 cellular subscribers in America exceed 50
million.9

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The primitive cell phone of the early 90’s cost around 200 dollars and was nothing
more than a mobile version of the phone people had at home. Today, that same
sum of money will buy a phone loaded with extras and special features. Modern
phones carry the capacity to do many things a personal computer would do, and
integrate many forms of technology into one device. For example, an individual
today can take pictures and videos, surf the web, download and play music, and
even get turn by turn directions. Cell phones and service plans have come a long
way since their inception, but one thing hasn’t changed; the need for a service
plan to fit an individual’s needs, and at a reasonable cost. With so many providers
and options to choose from the field of plans seems vast. There is however a plan
to fit every need and budget.
Terms to Look for When Purchasing Cell Phone Plans5
When going to purchase a cell phone plan, there are several terms that you
should understand:
3G & 4G - General terms that refer to new wireless technologies which
offer increased capacity to access music, video and other capabilities over
digital wireless networks.
App (Application) - Downloadable video games, wallpaper, social networks
or almost anything that adds a function or feature to a wireless handset
which are available for free or a fee.
Common Short Codes - Five– or six–digit numbers which allow wireless
devices to send text messages for value-added services such as televoting
campaigns, mobile coupons and other promotions.
Family Plan – A family plan allows a family to share a common pool of
minutes across several lines. Members of the same family plan are also
able to call each other for free. Family Plans start with two active lines.
More can be added at $9.99 per line; usually up to 4 or 5 lines total.
Individual Plan – An individual plan provides a pool of minutes to be
utilized by only one active line. All upgrades or features are only applied to
the one specific line.

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Location Based Services (LBS) - Location Based Services refers to a broad
range of services that are based on (or enhanced by) information about the
physical location of a user and/or device. Typical location-based services
for consumers might include real-time turn-by-turn directions, the location
of the nearest gas station or motel, or social networking services. What
makes the service location-based is that it knows your location
automatically, without entering a zip code.
Parental Control Tools - Services offered by wireless carriers or third
parties that allow parents to limit or monitor their child’s cell phone use.
CTIA developed voluntary Guidelines for Carrier Content Classification and
Internet Access.
Prepaid Plan - This plan allows customers to purchase a pre-determined
amount of minutes for a set price and when you are out of minutes you can
purchase additional services. Some prepaid plans include text messaging
and other wireless data services. CTIA developed the voluntary Consumer
Code to help consumers make informed choices when selecting wireless
service.
Premium Text - Text to or from a commercial entity that delivers news,
information, images, ringtones or entertainment for a fee above standard
messaging rates.
Privacy Settings - Ability to determine how much personally identifiable
information (PII) is shared digitally.
Smart Phone - Wireless phones with advanced data features and often
keyboards or touch screens. What makes the phone “smart” is its ability to
manage and transmit data in addition to voice calls.
Text (Short Message Service/SMS) - Short Messaging Service enables users
to send and receive short text messages (usually about 160 characters) on
wireless handsets. Also referred to as “text messaging.”

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Wi-Fi - Provides wireless connectivity over unlicensed spectrum (using the
IEEE 802.11 standards), generally in the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands. Wi-Fi®
offers local area connectivity to Wi-Fi®-enabled computers and handsets.
Types of Cell Phone Plans
There are an immense number of plans to choose from offering limitless services
for every specific use an individual might need. In order to choose the plan that is
right for you, it is important to understand the different types of plans and
features available.
Post-Paid – These are the most prevalent types of plans in use today.
These utilize a contract in which the customer agrees to subscribe to the
service for a particular amount of time, usually one or two years. In return
the provider renders the service and usually offers phones at discount
prices. The subscriber pays a set amount each month for the service, and
there is usually a cancelation fee associated with early termination of the
contract.
Prepaid – These are becoming more popular as they continue to tailor
more to the market niche. Here the consumer is not bound by a contract
to the service provider, and minutes are purchased as they are needed.
Some find it easier to keep track of minutes this way, and only minutes that
are needed are purchased. This type of plan allows parents to give their
kids phones without worrying about them racking up a huge bill full of
overages. There is however a downside, as most minutes come with an
expiration date, and minutes not used by that date are no longer
redeemable.
Plan Features
Cell phone service plans offer a cluster of extras including text messaging, picture
and video messaging, internet connectivity, games, music, and more. Deciding
which extras you need is important in finding a plan that is right for you.
Consumers may start with a basic plan and add on these features later, or select a
bundle plan that includes the features desired. These extras can however quickly
add up to a large bill, so it is important to consider what you need in a plan and
compare that to the increased price associated with the extras.

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Purchasing Plans
Cell phone plans can be purchased at any service provider’s district store.
Branches of all services offered in the area can literally be found in practically
every city. Plans can also be purchased online, and existing customers can modify
plans or add a line either online or in person at any store.
When purchasing a cell phone plan it is important to know what you are getting
and what it costs you. You have to make sure you are getting a good value in the
selected plan. You do not want to pay more for the same service you could get
elsewhere. It is also important that the plan includes everything you need to
utilize your phone for everything that is necessary to you.
If desired, bundling lines together in “family plans” can reduce the cost per line. If
your need exceeds one line, it may be a good idea to consider this type of plan. It
is imperative to consider multiple companies and compare them against each
other. Points of comparison include: number of minutes offered, calling area,
service coverage, number of lines, extras included, and of course price. It is
paramount to judge the price based on everything included, and to consider the
value of the plan based on everything included.

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Activity 1 Worksheet
Selecting the Cheapest Plan
For this exercise, you will have to use the CellCalc comparison tool found at
http://www.myrateplan.com/wireless_plans/. Use this guide to help you
determine which plan is the cheapest when considering the features needed. For
this exercise, the number of minutes does not matter. To use CellCalc, first enter
your zip code and hit go. Next, select the desired features from the available
choices. Use only individual plans, and select nationwide calling area as a feature
for all of them.
Features Cheapest plan
Free Long Distance, Free Nights and Sprint Basic Plan with 200 Minutes for
Weekends $29.99
Free Long Distance, Free Nights and Sprint Talk 450 Plan with 450 Minutes
Weekends, and 7PM Free Nights for $39.99
Free Long Distance, Free Nights and AT&T Nation With Rollover Plan with
Weekends, and Rollover Minutes 450 Minutes for $39.99
Free Long Distance, Free Nights and
T-Mobile MyFaves 600 Plan With 600
Weekends, Free Mobile-to-Mobile, and
Minutes for $49.99
Calling Circles
Free Long Distance, Free Nights and
Verizon’s Unlimited Anytime Basic Plan
Weekends, Calling Circles, Push-to-Talk,
With Unlimited Minutes for $99.99
and Unlimited Minutes

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Activity 2 Worksheet
Comparison Shopping
Use the following chart to comparison shop between cell phone plans offered by
4 of the Nation’s largest carriers. After completing the chart, answer the
questions below.
Find the following information on the prospective company’s website:
AT&T: http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-
plans/index.jsp
Sprint: http://www.sprint.com/index.html
T-Mobile: http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/Cell-Phone-Plans-Overview.aspx
Verizon: http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?
item=planFirst&action=viewPlanOverview&lid=//global//plans
For the purpose of comparing, use the base line plan in each category with the
fewest number of minutes. If something is not available from a particular
company, simply put N/A.
Cost of an
Service Type of
Price Minutes Extras Additional
Provider Plan
Line
Rollover Minutes, 5000
Free Night and
Single
AT&T $39.99 450 Weekend Minutes, and N/A
Line
Unlimited Mobile to
Mobile
Rollover Minutes,
$59.99 Unlimited Night and
Family $9.99 Per
(First 2 550 Weekend Minutes, and
Plan Line
Lines) Unlimited Mobile to
Mobile
Pre-Paid 25 Cents N/A Rollover Minutes N/A

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(Pay As Per
You Go) Minute
Single Unlimited Night and
Sprint $29.99 200 N/A
Line Weekends
$69.99 Unlimited Mobile to
Family $9.99 Per
(First 2 700 Mobile, Unlimited
Plan Line
Lines) Nights and Weekends
Pre-Paid N/A N/A N/A N/A
Single Unlimited Weekend
T-Mobile $29.99 300 N/A
Line Minutes
Unlimited Night and
Family Weekend Minutes and $9.99 Per
$59.99 700
Plan Unlimited Mobile to Line
Mobile
12.5
Pre-Paid
Cents
(Pay As N/A None N/A
Per
You Go)
Minute*
Unlimited Night and
Single Weekend Minutes and
Verizon $39.99 450 N/A
Line Unlimited Mobile to
Mobile
Unlimited Night and
Family Weekend Minutes, $9.99 Per
$69.99 700
Plan Unlimited Mobile to Line
Mobile
25 Cents
Pre-Paid
Per N/A None N/A
(Basic)
Minute
*When you purchase 400 minutes at a time
1. Which carrier provides the cheapest plan in each category? (Single Line, Family
Plan, and Pre-Paid)
In the single line category Sprint and T-Mobile both offer the cheapest plan at
$29.99. The cheapest family plan cost $59.99 and is offered by AT&T and T-
Mobile. Three of the companies offer pre-paid plans, and out of those T-Mobile is
the cheapest at 12.5 cents per minute. It is important to note though that T-

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Mobile is the only company that has a varying price table based on number of
minutes bought. Their minutes only cost 12.5 cents each if you buy 400 at a time.
If one were to buy only 100 for example, the cost per minute would be 30 cents.
2. Which carrier offers a plan that is the cheapest per minute? (Hint: Base Price/
Minutes)
T-Mobile’s Family Plan is the cheapest per minute at 8.6 cents per minute.
(59.99/700=8.57 cents per minute)
3. Which plan in each category offers the most extras?
When looking at baseline plans for all three categories, AT&T’s offers a plan with
more extras than the other companies. For the single line plan it has rollover
minutes, 5000 free night and weekend minutes, and unlimited mobile to mobile.
While it only offers 5000 free night and weekend minutes, that is virtually
unlimited, and the addition of rollover minutes saves unused minutes from
previous months. For the family plan it offers unlimited night and weekend
minutes, unlimited mobile to mobile and rollover minutes. AT&T is the only
company to offer included extras with its baseline pre-paid plan. The extra comes
in the form of rollover minutes.
4. Which plan is the best value for your needs?
Student should pick what type of plan they want, what extras they want, and then
pick the cheapest available from that. Student could pick any plan, as long as they
defend why they picked it based on the criteria above.
Junior Practice Consumer Situation for Cell Phone Plans

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Your parents are looking to find a new plan for the family, and they need your
help. Your Dad wants to have four lines, and he figures with four lines he will
need at least 500 minutes. Your Dad also prefers Verizon, and would like to stay
with Verizon if they are the cheapest. Help him find the right plan by determining
which one is the cheapest (in cents per minute). Rank the following plans 1
through 4 with 1 being the best choice and 4 being the worst.
1. AT&T’s Family Talk plan with 550 minutes for $79.97. (14.5
cents per minute)
2. Sprint’s Talk for Family Plan with 700 minutes for $89.97.
(12.9 cents per minute)
3. T-Mobile’s Family Time Plan with 700 minutes for $79.97.
(11.4 cents per minute)
4. Verizon’s Nationwide Basic Family Share Plan with 700
minutes for $89.97. (12.9 cents per minute)
Rankings 3-4-2-1

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1. The best choice for the family is T-Mobile’s Family Time Plan because it
is the cheapest per minute at 11.4 cents per minute. It is also tied for
the most minutes out of the offered plans.
2. Second place goes to Verizon’s Nationwide Basic Family Share Plan. It
offers 700 minutes, and at 12.9 cents per minute it is tied with Sprint’s
plan. Verizon gets second because your Dad prefers Verizon.
3. A Close third place goes to Sprint’s Talk for Family Plan at 12.9 cents per
minute. Although it is tied with Verizon’s plan in price, it takes third
because your Dad would rather have Verizon.
4. Last Place goes to AT&T’s Family Talk Plan. It is by far the most
expensive at 14.5 cents per minute, and it also offers the fewest number
of minutes.

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Intermediate Practice Consumer Situation for Cell Phone Plans
Your parents are looking to find a new plan for the family, and they need your
help. Your Dad wants to have 4 lines, and he wants to have at least 1000 minutes.
He knows that texting is popular so he would like to have unlimited text
messaging. He wants to find the plan that gives him everything he needs for the
lowest price per minute. Help him find the right plan. Rank the following plans 1
through 4 with 1 being the best choice and 4 being the worst.
1. AT&T’s Family Talk Plan with 1400 minutes for $109.97.
Unlimited text messaging is $20 more, so the total price is 129.97. (9.3
cents per minute)
2. Sprint’s Everything Messaging Family Plan with 1500
minutes for $119.97. Messaging Included. (8 cents per minute)
3. T-Mobile’s Family Time Plan with 1000 minutes for
$89.97. Unlimited text messaging for the family is $24.95 more, so the
total price is $114.92. (11.5 cents per minute)
4. Verizon’s Nationwide Select Family Share Plan with 1400
minutes for $139.97. Messaging Included. (10 cents per minute)

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Rankings 2-1-4-3
1. The best choice for your family is Sprint’s Everything Messaging Family
Plan. The plan includes unlimited messaging and 1500 minutes at a low 8
cents per minute. This plan is the cheapest per minute, and provides the
most minutes.
2. Second place goes to AT&T’s Family Talk Plan. This plan has everything
needed and 1400 minutes, but it costs 1.3 cents more per minute than its
Sprint competitor.
3. A close third is Verizon’s Nationwide Select Family Share Plan. The plan
offers everything the AT&T plan does, but it costs .7 cents per minute more
than the AT&T plan.
4. A distant last place goes to T-Mobile’s Plan. The plan includes everything
required, but it offers less minutes and causes the price per minute to go
up. As a result, T-Mobile’s Plan is by far the most expensive at 11.5 cents
per minute.

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Senior Practice Consumer Situation for Cell Phone Plans
Your parents are looking to find a new plan for the family, and they would like
your help. Your Dad wants to have 4 lines, and he knows the family can rack up
some minutes. He figures the family will need at least 1500 minutes. He would
like to have unlimited text messaging for the whole family, and an unlimited data
plan for his line so he can work from his phone. He wants to find the plan that
gives him everything he needs for the lowest price. Additional minutes over 1500
are a plus if the cost per minute is lower than a plan with less minutes. Help him
find the right plan. Rank the following plans 1 through 4 with 1 being the best
choice and 4 being the worst.
1. AT&T’s Family Talk plan with 2100 minutes for $129.97. The
unlimited messaging for the family and unlimited data for Dad’s line will
cost $40 more, so the total price is $169.97. (8.1 cents per minute)
2. Sprint’s Everything Data Family plan with 1500 minutes
for $149.97. Unlimited messaging and data are included on all lines. (10
cents per minute)
3. T-Mobile’s Family Time Plan with 2500 minutes for
$119.97. The unlimited messaging for the family plus unlimited data for
Dad’s line will cost $34.94 more, so the total price is $154.91. (6.2 cents
per minute)

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4. Verizon’s Nationwide Select Family Share Plan with 2100
minutes for $139.97. This includes unlimited messaging, but to upgrade
Dad’s line for data will cost $15 more, so the total price is $154.97 (7.4
cents per minute)
Rankings 3-4-1-2
1. The best choice for the family is T-Mobile’s Family Time Plan. The plan has
everything needed, and features the most minutes at the lowest cost per
minute.
2. Second place goes to Verizon’s Nationwide Select Family Share Plan. The
plan offers more than enough minutes at 2100, but the cost per minute is
greater than T-Mobile’s plan.
3. A distant third goes to AT&T’s Family Talk plan. This plan also meets the
requirements, but it does so at a much higher price of 8.1 cents per minute.
4. Last place goes to the most expensive plan of the bunch, Sprint’s Everything
Data Family Plan. This plan meets the baseline minimum minute
requirement, but the cost per minute is substantially higher than the other
options. It is important to note though that the increased cost is partially
because it is the only one of the choices that includes unlimited data for
everybody.